Equine blanket and adjustable blanket system

ABSTRACT

An equine adjustable blanket system for a horse having a neck, a back, a barrel, a dock, a withers, a chest, a mane, at least one shoulder, a point of said at least one shoulder, a forearm, and at least one scapula is disclosed. The equine adjustable blanket system has a horse blanket and a yoke device. The horse blanket is disposable upon and in contacting engagement with the back of the horse and the yoke device is disposable upon and in contacting engagement with the chest of the horse. The yoke device and the horse blanket being mutually and matingly couplable to each other to form the equine adjustable blanket system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to specialized equipment (e.g., blanketsand such) for covering and protecting animals such as horses (Equusferus caballus). More particularly, the present disclosure provides fora newly developed equine blanket and an adjustable blanket systemsuitable for use with Equus ferus caballus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The horse (Equus ferus caballus) is one of two extant subspecies ofEquus ferus. It is an odd-toed ungulate mammal belonging to thetaxonomic family Equidae. Horses in the subspecies caballus aredomesticated. There is an extensive, specialized vocabulary used todescribe equine-related concepts, covering everything from anatomy tolife stages, size, colors, markings, breeds, locomotion, and behavior.

Horses' anatomy enables them to make use of speed to escape predatorsand they have a well-developed sense of balance and a strongfight-or-flight response. Related to this need to flee from predators inthe wild is an unusual trait: horses can sleep both standing up andlying down.

Horse breeds are loosely divided into three categories based on generaltemperament: spirited “hot bloods” with speed and endurance; “coldbloods”, such as draft horses and some ponies, suitable for slow, heavywork; and “warmbloods”, developed from crosses between hot bloods andcold bloods, often focusing on creating breeds for specific ridingpurposes, particularly in Europe. There are more than 300 breeds ofhorse in the world today, developed for many different uses.

Horses and humans interact in a wide variety of sport competitions andnon-competitive recreational pursuits, as well as in working activitiessuch as police work, agriculture, entertainment, and therapy. Horseswere historically used in warfare, from which a wide variety of ridingand driving techniques developed, using many different styles ofequipment and methods of control. Humans provide domesticated horseswith food, water and shelter, as well as attention from specialists suchas veterinarians and farriers.

The discussion provided hereunder will reference to certain Equus feruscaballus anatomy. The requisite anatomy so referenced by the reader andone of skill in the art can be found in FIGS. 1 and 2 provided herein.

With reference to FIGS. 3-4, certain specialized equipment is used inthe care of horses. During the winter months, horses are commonly turnedout to pasture to feed on grass and hay and to exercise. A horse blanket(also called a turnout blanket or rug) is a blanket or animal coatintended for keeping the Equus ferus caballus warm, dry, and/orotherwise protected from wind or other elements. In some locales, ablanket is provided for a horse in a barn or stable as many barns areunheated. These are known as stable blankets and are contoured ortailored to fit the horse more snuggly than a turnout blanket. Stableblankets are commonly kept on a horse in cold temperatures when thehorse is loose in a stall or on pasture as well as when traveling. Horseblankets having different weights are made for different weatherconditions, and some are water-resistant or waterproof. Modern materialslike those used in human outdoor wear can be used in horse blanketmanufacture.

Generally, horse blankets are tailored in an attempt to fit around ahorse's body and extend from the withers to the dock on top and from thechest through the barrel underneath. Often, the belly of the horseremains exposed. Cinch straps can cross underneath the belly to secureopposed sides of the blanket and allow the horse to move about. Somedesigns also have small straps that loop lightly around the horse's hindlegs to prevent the blanket from slipping sideways. Also, some currentblankets have a fastening system that comprises one or more buckles thatfasten in front proximate to the chest to keep the blanket secure fromfalling off the back end of the horse.

One of skill in the art will readily recognize that current blanketdesigns are difficult to fit and indeed do not provide a good fit formost horses. It is believed that several factors contribute to theoverall fit of any blanket design. To provide a well-fitting blanket,these factors should include: 1. The depth of the neck, 2. the width ofthe chest, and 3. the angle of the shoulder.

In an attempt to provide a good fit, some horse blankets have one or twochest flaps that extend from the blanket and are buckled in frontproximate to the chest. However, these blankets really do not provide agood fit because they do not take the previously mentioned factors intoaccount when undergoing the blanket design process. Further, these horseblanket designs do not provide an effective seal to prevent cold airfrom passing between the neck opening formed by the blanket and theneck. A few designs that have a closed front and are slipped over thehead and neck can remedy this air leakage. However, these designs areconsidered to be the most difficult to provide a proper fit for anyparticular horse because there is no ability to adjust the blanket.

Conventional horse blankets can cause wear to occur on a horse's maneand tail. Some conventional blankets have synthetic webbing around theblanket edges. Such webbing may be abrasive and rub off the hair wherethere is pressure. When a blanket is placed on a horse, gravity createsa pressure point across the top of the neck where the mane is located.Wherever there is such a pressure applied to the horse, the constantrubbing causes hair to wear off and cause chafing which in turn canresult in the development of edema.

Further, when conventional horse blankets are positioned as shown, thenatural movement of the horse may cause an applied tension, T, in theblanket to occur. In other words, as the horse moves, e.g., walks,trots, gallops, or runs) the improperly fitted blanket otherwisedisposed upon the horse tends to move rearward toward the dock and awayfrom the withers and chest of the horse along a direction, x, parallelto the horse's spine. Additionally, regardless of the weather, mosthorses will roll on the ground, scratching their backs, stretching theirmuscles or even to simply roll in the dirt. Thus, current blankets arenot really capable of keeping a horse clean, especially the belly.Further, the movement of an ill-fitted blanket can cause a great deal ofrubbing on the chest, shoulders, and forearms of the horse disposedunderneath the blanket and result in chafing, hair loss, and eventualedema.

Chafing refers to the irritation of skin caused by repetitive friction,usually generated through skin to skin contact of multiple body parts.Severe chafing is known as friction burn. Edema is an abnormalaccumulation of fluid in the interstitium, located beneath the skin andin the cavities of the body, which can cause severe pain. Clinically,edema manifests as swelling. The amount of interstitial fluid isdetermined by the balance of fluid homeostasis; and the increasedsecretion of fluid into the interstitium, or the impaired removal of thefluid, can cause the condition.

In an effort to try to ameliorate the observed chafing, prior art horseblankets (such as those shown in FIGS. 3-4) can be fitted withvertically-oriented gussets (i.e., extending in the “y” direction)starting proximate to the shoulder and following the forearm. Thesevertically-oriented gussets are disposed within the side portions of theblanket, near the front legs of the horse. Each gusset is generallyprovided as a wedge-shaped piece of material.

However, the placement of these gussets within the side portions of theblanket do not alleviate the chafing/friction burn issues observed onthe chest, shoulders, and forearms of the horse. Even in the presence ofsuch vertically-oriented gussets, one of skill in the art can recognizethat the ordinary gates of a moving horse still cause the blanket toexperience the applied rearward tension, T, discussed supra, to occur.This tension in the blanket having such vertically-oriented gussetsstill causes a great deal of rubbing on the chest, shoulders, andforearms of the horse. The rubbing is not cured by the presence of anyof the currently provided gussets disposed within the side portions ofthe horse blanket.

Thus, there is a clear need to provide a blanket for Equus feruscaballus that can reduce and even eliminate the rubbing, chafing, andedema issues caused by prior art blankets. There is a clear need toprovide a blanket that considers the depth of the neck, the width of thechest, and the angle of the shoulder within the overall design.Additionally, there is a clear need to provide for a heretofore unseendevice that can also more effectively hold the blanket in place therebyreducing the observed friction on the body of the horse in areas on thechest, shoulders, and forearms. This device should provide for the bestpossible fit of a horse blanket by allowing for the adjustment of theblanket required due to the depth of the neck the width of the chest,and the angle of the shoulder of the horse. This device should also beusable to assist in keeping the horse clean and/or warm the horse byattaching far enough back toward the belly of the horse. Additionally,the device should be integratable with existing horse blanket systems.Further, there is a clear need to provide an equine blanketing systemthat better warms the horse and reduces the development, presence orconsequences of rubbing and any edema resulting therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides for a horse blanket for a horse having aneck, a back, a barrel, a dock, a withers, a chest, a mane, at least oneshoulder, a point of said at least one shoulder, a forearm, and at leastone scapula. The horse blanket comprises a back portion and a pair ofopposed side portions. The back portion extends between a withers endand a dock end. The back portion has a longitudinal axis forming an axisof symmetry within the horse blanket. The pair of opposed side portionseach extends from the back portion on opposed sides of the longitudinalaxis. Each of the side portions comprises a front portion that overlay arespective shoulder of the horse when the horse blanket is disposed uponthe horse. Each of the front portions further comprises a first gussetdisposed therein. Each of the first gussets has a first end disposedwithin the front portion proximate to the longitudinal axis. The firstend is disposed proximate to the withers when the horse blanket isdisposed upon the horse. Each of the first gussets has a second enddisposed distal from the first end. Each of the first gussetsbifurcating the respective front portion into a neck portion and ascapula portion. The neck portion overlays the horse between the neckand a top of the at least one scapula when the horse blanket is disposedupon the horse.

The present disclosure further provides for an equine adjustable blanketsystem for a horse having a neck, a back, a barrel, a dock, a withers, achest, a mane, at least one shoulder, a point of said at least oneshoulder, a forearm, and at least one scapula. The equine adjustableblanket system comprises a horse blanket and a yoke device. The horseblanket is disposable upon and in contacting engagement with the back ofthe horse and the yoke device is disposable upon and in contactingengagement with the chest of the horse. The yoke device and the horseblanket being mutually and matingly couplable to each other to form theequine adjustable blanket system.

The present disclosure yet further provides for a horse blanket for ahorse having a neck, a back, a barrel, a dock, a withers, a chest, amane, at least one shoulder, a point of said at least one shoulder, aforearm, and at least one scapula, having a back portion extendingbetween a withers end and a dock end where the back portion has alongitudinal axis forming an axis of symmetry within the horse blanketand a pair of opposed side portions each extending from the back portionon opposed sides of the longitudinal axis, each of the side portionscomprising a front portion, each of the front portions overlaying arespective shoulder of the horse when the horse blanket is disposed uponthe horse, the improvement comprising: a first gusset disposed withineach of the front portions, each of the first gussets having a first enddisposed within the front portion proximate to the longitudinal axis andbeing disposed proximate to the withers when the horse blanket isdisposed upon the horse and a second end disposed distal from the firstend, wherein each of the first gussets bifurcates the respective frontportion into a neck portion and a scapula portion, wherein the neckportion overlays the horse between the neck and the scapula when thehorse blanket is disposed upon the horse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an exemplary Equus ferus caballus(horse) detailing relevant portions of Equus ferus caballus anatomy;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the skeletal system of theexemplary Equus ferus caballus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an exemplary prior art horseblanket disposed upon another exemplary horse depicting the forcesgenerated within the exemplary horse blanket attributed to motion of thehorse;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of yet another exemplary prior arthorse blanket disposed upon yet another exemplary horse;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an exemplary horse blanket of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5A is a plan view of an alternative exemplary horse blanket of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the blanket of FIG. 5 shown on a horse;

FIG. 7 is another alternative side view of the blanket of FIG. 5 shownon a horse;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an exemplary yoke of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8A is a plan view of the region labelled 8A of FIG. 8;

FIG. 8B is a plan view of the region labelled 8B of FIG. 8 where theelements comprising the yoke attachment device are separated intoconstituent elements;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the exemplary yoke of FIG. 8 shownon a horse;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the exemplary yoke of FIG. 8 incooperative association with a horse blanket;

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the exemplary yoke of FIG. 8 incooperative association with a horse blanket;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an exemplary Equine Adjustable Blanket Systemof the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of an exemplary Equine AdjustableBlanket System of FIG. 12 on a horse;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of an alternative exemplary EquineAdjustable Blanket System on a horse;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of an exemplary attachment devicefor providing mutual mating connection between a blanket and yoke of theEquine Adjustable Blanket System of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15A is a plan view of the exemplary of the connecting device ofFIG. 15; and,

FIG. 15B is a plan view of the exemplary slidably moveable connectordevice of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present description will be divided into four portions. The firstportion of the present disclosure is directed toward a horse blanket.The second portion is directed toward a yoke device. The third portionis directed toward an adjustable blanket system. The fourth and finalportion is directed toward a unique connecting device and a slidablymoveable connector. While the present disclosure addresses the presentdisclosure relative to a horse, it would be readily recognized by one ofskill in the art that the presently disclosed developments are alsosuitably useful for animals other than Equus ferus caballus. This caninclude, but not be limited to: cattle, dogs, cats, pigs, giraffes,elephants, and the like. In short, the presently described developmentsare suitable for use with virtually any animal including reptiles andmammals.

A. The Horse Blanket

The horse blanket (or blanket) provides for a back portion and a pair ofopposed side portions. The back portion extends between a withers endand a dock end. The back portion has a longitudinal axis forming an axisof symmetry within the horse blanket. The pair of opposed side portionseach extends from the back portion on opposed sides of the longitudinalaxis. Each of the side portions has a front portion that overlay arespective shoulder of the horse when the horse blanket is disposed uponthe horse. Each of the front portions also has a first gusset disposedtherein. Each of the first gussets has a first end disposed within thefront portion proximate to the longitudinal axis. The first end isdisposed proximate to the withers when the horse blanket is disposedupon the horse. Each of the first gussets has a second end disposeddistal from the first end. Each of the first gussets bifurcates therespective front portion into a neck portion and a scapula portion. Theneck portion overlays the horse between the neck and the scapula whenthe horse blanket is disposed upon the horse.

FIGS. 5-7 show an exemplary horse blanket 10 (also referred to herein asblanket 10) of the present disclosure. The blanket 10 can be provided asa turnout blanket, a stable blanket, a cool-out blanket, or any othercovering suitable for use on a horse or other animal that is turned outto pasture and/or exposed to the weather and/or ground-found debriselements.

The blanket 10 has a back portion 13 that extends between the withersend 15 and the dock end 17 of the blanket 10. The back portion 13 can beprovided to generally follow the spine of the horse and has alongitudinal axis 11 that forms an axis of symmetry within the blanket10. As would be readily recognized by one of skill in the art, theblanket 10 can be located to contact, or be aligned with, the horse'smane when the blanket is placed upon a horse. A pair of opposed sideportions 19 each extend from the back portion 13 and are disposed onopposed sides of the longitudinal axis 11. When the blanket 10 isdeployed upon a horse, the back portion 13 extends along the back of thehorse, while each of the side portions 19 depend down along the sides ofthe horse from the longitudinal axis 11 about the barrel of the horse.The side portions 19 extend from the dock end 17 disposed proximate tothe dock of the horse to the neck end 23 disposed proximate to the neckof the horse. Each respective side portion 19 can be provided with afront portion 25 and a barrel portion 21.

It may be preferred to provide each front portion 25 with a front edge27 that are designed to overlap at least slightly with the opposed frontedge 27 of the opposed front portion 25. It may be preferable to providefor the front portions 25 to cover at least a portion of the chest ofthe horse disposed below the neck. A neck opening 31 can be formed inthe blanket 10 between the opposed front portions 25 and the withers end15 of the back portion 13 by attachment of the respective front portions25. The blanket 10 can be provided with a flap 33 disposed proximate tothe dock end 17.

The two opposed front portions 25 are capable of being mutually coupledtogether to form neck opening 31. In other words, both opposed frontportions 25 can be disposed and positionable into mutual connectiveengagement. By way of non-limiting example, the coupling of opposedfront portions 25 can be accomplished by any technology understood byone of skill in the art to fasten one front portion 25 to the other.This can include using a strap and buckle or a plurality of hook andloop fasteners. For example, a strip of hooks can be disposed upon onefront portion 25 and a strip of loops can be disposed upon the opposedfront portion 25. When the opposed front portions are cooperativelyoverlapped, the hook and loop fasteners can retain the respective frontportions 25 in cooperative and corresponding mating engagement.Alternatively, straps disposed on one front portion 25 can be secured tobuckles disposed upon the opposed front portion 25. The straps canprovide a more secure coupling than the hook and loop fasteners. Thestrap and buckle arrangements can be elasticized as desired in order toallow for stretch as the horse moves about or to accommodate a horsewith a larger neck girth. In another embodiment, such straps can beprovided as nylon webbing and the buckles can be secured to the blanketmaterial by elastic straps to provide a desired degree of elasticity.Yet still “D”-rings (or other suitable connection devices) can beappropriately fastened to a surface of one front portion 25 and acorresponding snap fastened to the opposed front portion 25.

The blanket 10 can be also fitted with at least two first gussets(selectable in design and shown in FIG. 5 as exemplary first gusset 35and alternative first gusset 35A), each of the first gussets 35 beingdisposed within a respective front portion 25. First gusset 35, as usedherein, references either first gusset 35 and/or alternative firstgusset 35A unless so stated. As shown, first gusset 35 has a first end39 disposed within the front portion 25 proximate to longitudinal axis11 so that when the blanket 10 is properly positioned upon the horse inuse, the first end 39 is positioned to be proximate to the top of thescapula. Each first gusset 35 disposed within front portion 25 ofblanket 10 has a second end 41 distal from first end 39. As shown inFIGS. 5-6, the second end 41 of exemplary first gusset 35 can bedisposed within front edge 27 of front portion 25 so that the firstgusset 35 ends at the front edge 27 of front portion 25. Alternatively,one of skill in the art will recognize that it would be possible toprovide first gusset 35A to have a second end 41A that is distal fromfirst end 39 but is formed within the perimeter of front portion 25.

In any regard, no matter the design of first gusset 35, first gusset 35essentially bifurcates front portion 25 into neck portion 43 and scapulaportion 45. Preferably, neck portion 43 is formed within blanket 10 sothat the material constituting neck portion 43 correspondingly overlaysthe skin of the horse in the region disposed between the neck andscapula when the blanket 10 is wearingly placed upon the horse. In otherwords, first gusset 35 provides blanket 10 with a narrow strip ofmaterial that runs essentially parallel to the scapula and overlays theskin of the horse disposed between the scapula and neck. Practically andmechanically, first gusset 35 forms an articulable joint within frontportion 25 between neck portion 45 and scapula portion 45 of blanket 10.Second end 41 of first gusset 35 can be elasticized if desired to allowfor expansion and contraction of the first gusset 35 as the horse movesabout.

As shown in FIG. 5A, an alternative embodiment of the blanket 10A can bealso fitted with an alternative first gusset 35B disposed within arespective front portion 25. As shown, first gusset 35A has a firstportion 51 having a first end 39 disposed within the front portion 25proximate to longitudinal axis 11 so that when the blanket 10 isproperly positioned upon the horse in use, the first end 39 of firstgusset 35B is positioned to be proximate to the top of the scapula.First portion 51 terminates at a point distal from first end 39 that isproximate to the leading edge of the scapula located forward of theforearm. This is known to those of skill in the art as the ‘point’ ofthe shoulder. First portion 51 can overlap or otherwise lay parallel tothe scapula of the horse.

Each first gusset 35B disposed within front portion 25 of blanket 10Ahas a second portion 53 with a first end co-located with the distalpoint of first portion 51 at the point of the shoulder and has a secondend 41B distal therefrom. The second end 41B of exemplary first gusset35B can be disposed within an edge 27A of front portion 25 so that thefirst gusset 35B ends at the edge 27A of front portion 25 located infront of the forearm. In practice first portion 51 and second portion 53of first gusset 35B are formed from line segments in order to provide aneasier design and easier process of manufacturing blanket 10A.

In any regard, first gusset 35B essentially bifurcates front portion 25into neck portion 43 and scapula portion 45. In other words, firstgusset 35B provides blanket 10A with a narrow linear strip of materialthat runs essentially parallel to the scapula and overlays the skin ofthe horse disposed between the scapula and neck. Practically andmechanically, first gusset 35B forms an articulable joint within frontportion 25 between neck portion 45 and scapula portion 45 of blanket 10.Second end 41B of first gusset 35B can be elasticized if desired toallow for expansion and contraction of the first gusset 35B as the horsemoves about.

In still yet another alternative embodiment, an alternative first gusset35C can be disposed within a respective front portion 25. As shown,first gusset 35C has a first portion 51A having a first end 39 disposedwithin the front portion 25 proximate to longitudinal axis 11 so thatwhen the blanket 10A is properly positioned upon the horse in use, thefirst end 39 of first gusset 35C is positioned to be proximate to thetop of the scapula. First portion 51A can generally overlay the naturalcontour of the scapula of the horse and terminate at a point distal fromfirst end 39 that is proximate to the point of the shoulder and forwardof the forearm.

First gusset 35C has a second portion 53A with a first end co-locatedwith the distal point of first portion 51A and has a second end 41Cdistal therefrom. The second end 41C of exemplary first gusset 35C canbe disposed within an edge 27A of front portion 25 so that the firstgusset 35C ends at the edge 27A of front portion 25 located in front ofthe forearm. In practice first portion 51A and second portion 53A offirst gusset 35C are formed from curvilinear segments in order toprovide a design that more follows the natural contours of the horseboth in a standing position and while moving.

Returning again to FIG. 5, if desired, a respective second gusset 37forming a second articulable joint can be provided within each sideportion 19 of blanket 10. Each second gusset 37 can be disposed betweenfront portion 25 and barrel portion 21 near the front legs of the horse.Each second gusset 37 can be provided as a wedge-shaped piece ofmaterial gathered and/or pleated along the edge of horse blanket 10 andvertically oriented relative to the forearm of the horse. The bottomedge of each second gusset 37 can be elasticized. Practically andmechanically, each second gusset 37 forms an articulable joint betweenthe front portion 25 and barrel portion 21 of each side portion 19 ofblanket 10. Each second gusset 37 can be disposed over the elbow whenthe blanket 10 is wearingly placed upon the horse.

If so desired, rear leg straps can be attached to the blanket 10. Forexample, any rear leg straps can be elastic and adjustable in length.Exemplary rear leg straps preferably extend around the inside of therear legs of the horse. The ends of the rear leg straps can be providedto clip on to “D”-rings or any other attachment device(s) that aresecured to the blanket 10 by any necessary webbing and/or stitching.

Additionally, and if desired, at least one cinch (such as an elasticbelly band or belly strap) can be provided. If desired, two cinches canbe provided, one disposed proximate to the front legs and the otherdisposed proximate to the rear legs along the barrel of the horse. Thecinches generally extend underneath the belly of the horse. The lengthof each cinch or strap can be adjustable and the ends can be clipped orhooked to rings or other attachment devices disposed upon, or inconnecting engagement with, the blanket.

The blanket 10 is preferably provided with a withers notch 47 forreducing the wear on a horse's mane and a dock notch 49 for reducing thewear on a horse's tail. The withers notch 47 can be disposed proximateto the mane. Dock notch 49 can be disposed proximate to the tail whenthe horse blanket 10 is disposed upon the horse.

The withers notch 47 can be centrally located proximate to thelongitudinal axis 11 and disposed on the center of the back portion 13between the two front portions 25. The withers notch 47 opens to theneck opening 31. Thus, if the neck opening 31 can be itself consideredas a notch, then the withers notch 47 can be considered a notch within anotch. The edge of the main notch can be lined with fleece if sodesired.

As would be understood by one of skill in the art, the width and lengthof the withers notch 47 at the neck opening 31 should be sufficient sothat the withers are uncovered by the blanket 10. The lower end of themane can extend down to the withers. Thus, the withers notch 47 leavesthe lower end of the mane exposed and consequently not subject torubbing and/or chafing by any portion of blanket 10.

As should be understood by one of skill in the art, when the blanket 10is wearingly placed upon the horse, the blanket 10 has a snug fit. Thismeans that the blanket 10 takes into consideration the depth of the neckof the horse, the width of the chest of the horse, and the angle of theshoulder of the horse. This means that thee blanket 10 of the presentdisclosure can be particularly suitable for use on a variety of horsessuch as draft horses having thick necks and thoroughbreds having thinnernecks. When a horse is out in a pasture and exposed to adverse weather,wind and rain are generally unable to enter the neck opening due to theclose fit. To this end, the neck portions 43, the scapula portions 45,and side portions 19 of the blanket 10 can preferably fit close for thehorse (i.e., are in direct contact with the horse) to provide a snug andadjustable fit due to the varying sizes of the chest, shoulders, andforearms of horses. Chest straps can be utilized with the blanket 10 toprovide a snug fit to the horse.

The blanket 10 can be manufactured from a variety of materials. Forexample, a turnout blanket can be made of a waterproof nylon outerlayer, a nylon liner or inner layer, and a poly-fill insulation disposedin-between. However, other materials besides nylon and poly-fill can beused. For example, the outer layer need not be waterproof. This isparticularly true if the blanket is a stable blanket and meant for useinside of a stable or barn. In any regard, the blanket 10 can bemanufactured from a variety of materials of different basis weights.Further, the blanket 10 can be provided with re-closeable access to theinternal portions of the blanket in the form of a zipper, hook-and-loopfasteners, and other closure devices known to those of skill in the artto facilitate the addition or removal of insulative materials such asinsulative batting from the interstices of the blanket 10 to provide formore or less thickness, more or less padding, more or less coolingdevices, and the like. This can allow for the adaptation of the blanket10 to suit the weather conditions or other situation currentlyexperienced by the horse. Further a memory foam-like material can beapplied to the inner surface of the blanket 10 in contact with the horseto provide for a softening effect while the blanket 10 is worn.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5-6, webbing 51 can be provided to the sideof the blanket 10 that contacts the horse. The webbing 51 can bedisposed upon the blanket 10 to provide a means of mediating the wearobserved by the use of current blankets about the withers. Thus, it wassuitably found that disposing webbing material upon the blanketperpendicular to the longitudinal axis 11 and about the barrel as wellas providing webbing 51 proximate to the withers notch 47 and disposedabout either side of the withers notch 47 so that the underlying webbing51 is disposed about either side of the neck can reduce the observedwear and/or rubbing on the withers. It is also believed that theplacement of webbing 51 upon the blanket can also provide a manner tostabilize the blanket 10 and retard any movement of the blanket 10 whenit is disposed upon the horse and the horse is in motion.

As shown in FIG. 5, blanket 10 can be provided with an aperture 29 thatcan allow and/or facilitate communication between opposed sides ofblanket 10. By way of non-limiting example, aperture 29 can allow forthe communication of a fastener or other device attached to anotherdevice or appurtenance disposed on or about the horse from under blanket10 (such device or appurtenance underlying blanket 10) to the outwardlyfacing surface of blanket 10. In this way, the other device can befixably attached to blanket 10 if the device has a fastener attachedthereto (for example a snap) which can then be disposed through aperture29 and fixably connected to the outer surface of blanket 10 via acorresponding connecting device (such as a D-ring) fixably attached tothe outwardly facing surface of blanket 10.

By way of example, a yoke device 100 (discussed infra) can be disposedabout the neck of a horse. The yoke device may have a fastener attachedto the surface thereof. The fastener can then be disposed throughaperture 29 and attached to a corresponding D-ring fixably attached tothe outwardly facing surface of blanket 10. This interconnectability ofdevices about the horse can enhance the ability of each device byproviding a seamless manner of overlaying disparate devices to provide asuitable mutually and matingly couplable equine adjustable blanketsystem 300 such as is discussed infra.

The blanket 10 can preferably allow the horse to exercise and move aboutfreely as shown in FIGS. 6-7. This is because the areas of stressinduced by horse movement and the tension, T, induced within the blanketas it tends to move rearward due top horse movement are elasticized bypresence of the first gusset 35 and any second gusset 37 disposed withinblanket 10 and reduced significantly, if not eliminated in totality. Forexample, if the horse walks or runs, the front legs are not constrictedbecause first gusset 35 and any second gusset 37 disposed within blanket10, preferably provided with the elasticized bottom edges and a gatheredand/or a pleated material, can provide flexibility to the blanket in thearea of the neck, shoulder, and front legs. The horse is thus able tomove its front legs without being constricted to an unpleasant degree bythe front aspects of the blanket and any incident rubbing and/or chafingis reduced and/or eliminated. When the horse stops running or walking,the blanket returns to its snug fit around the front legs of the horse.The rear legs are generally un-constricted by the blanket; and in anyevent, the elastic rear leg straps provide flexibility. Further, thepresence of first gusset 35 within front portion 25 to provide neckportion 43 and scapula portion 45 dramatically reduce the instance ofrubbing of the blanket 10 material to the fur and skin of the horse thusreducing the observed chafing and resulting edema.

If the horse bends its head down to eat at ground level, the neckopening 31 can provide flexibility. In a conventional, tight-neckedblanket, the neck tends to push down on the bottom of the neck openingand pull on the top of the neck opening. With the blanket of the presentinvention, the horse is thus able to eat without feeling choked aroundthe bottom of the neck opening. When the horse returns to its upposition, the neck opening 31 continues to provide a snug fit.

If the neck opening 31 can be elasticized, any front straps and thefirst gussets 35 can provide flexibility at the stress areas of theblanket 10. Consequently, any straps, and their attachments to theblanket 10, are less likely to break or pull out from the blanket 10,thereby increasing the durability of the blanket 10. In addition, thehorse can be content with a blanket 10 that does not restrict exercise,while remaining snug to keep the horse warm and dry.

B. The Yoke Device

The yoke device comprises a material having a “Y” shape and has a bellyend, a withers end, and a main body portion. The withers end has a pairof elongate strips splaying outwardly from a central point disposedwithin the main body portion and forming a neck opening therebetween.The pair of elongate strips circumscribe the neck of the horse when theelongate strips are disposed about the neck of the horse. The main bodyportion overlaps the chest of the horse when the main body portion ofthe yoke device is disposed in overlapping engagement with the chest ofthe horse.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a yoke device 100 (also referred to herein asyoke 100) can be provided as a singular piece of textile material forattachment of a horse blanket, warming, cooling, or otherwise keepingclean, the chest of a horse. The yoke 100 can be provided with a general“Y” shape and has a belly end 102, a withers end 104, and a main bodyportion 118. The withers end 104 can be characterized by having a pairof elongate strips 106 that splay outwardly from a central point 108disposed within a main body portion 118 to form the “Y” shape.

As each of the elongate strips 106 splay outwardly from the centralpoint 108, the region disposed therebetween forms a neck opening 110. Inpractice, it can be envisioned that the neck of the horse would bedisposed within neck opening 110 and each of the elongate strips 106 canbe disposed about the neck of the horse so that the elongate strips 106can effectively circumscribe the neck of the horse when the elongatestrips are placed in either cooperative coincidental mating engagementor cooperative overlapping engagement proximate to the withers.

If desired, yoke 100 can be provided with attached reinforcement webbingto increase the overall strength of the yoke 100. By way of non-limitingexample, reinforcement webbing can be provided in overlapping andmating, contacting engagement with yoke 100 and have a shapegeometrically similar to the overall “Y” shape of the yoke 100. Suchreinforcement can not only provide increased strength to the yoke 100but can also effectively allow any pressure induced into yoke 100 by ahorse blanket cooperatively associated thereto to assist in keeping ahorse blanket centered upon the back of the horse and away frominterfering engagement with the shoulder and forearm of the horse.

Main body portion 118 of yoke 100 can provide essential and/or completecoverage of the chest of a horse when the main body portion 118 isdisposed in overlapping engagement with the chest of a horse. To thisend width adjustment devices 112 can be provided along the length ofmain body portion 118. Width adjustment devices 112 can effectivelyadjust the width, W, of the main body portion 118 in order toaccommodate a horse with a large or wide chest such as a Belgian drafthorse or a narrow chest such as a Saddlebred and Arabian horses.

It will also be appreciated by one of skill in the art that a leg strap114 or a pair of opposed leg straps 114 can be fixably attached to thebelly end 102 of yoke 100. A leg strap 114 can circumscribe both frontlegs of a horse and fixably attach to yoke 100 in order to place yoke100 in fixed relation to the chest region of the horse dispose betweenboth front legs. Alternatively, each of a pair of leg straps 114 can befixably attached to belly end 102 of yoke 100. In this configuration,each leg strap 114 can circumscribe a singular front leg of a horse andbe fixably attached to yoke 100. This configuration can provide theadditional benefit by not only placing yoke 100 in fixed relation to thechest region of the horse dispose between both front legs but can alsoassist in maintaining the fixed relationship between the yoke 100 andthe chest region of the horse as the horse maneuvers about in any of thenatural gates (e.g., walk, trot, gallop, run).

The attachment of leg strap 114 can be accomplished by any manner knownto those of skill in the art. For example, a hook and loop system can bedeployed between an individual leg strap 114 and the belly end 102 ofyoke 100. Alternatively, a fastener 120 (such as a carabiner) can bedisposed upon an end of strap 114 distal from belly end 102. Thefastener can then be attached to a mating fastener disposed upon bellyend 102 or can be cooperatively self-attached to leg strap 114 itself byusing a clip or other device for fastener 120.

As shown in FIG. 9, yoke 100 can be preferentially and cooperativelydisposed upon the shoulders and chest of a horse. Each of the elongatestraps 106 extending from main body portion 118 are disposed about theneck of the horse and placed into cooperative and mating engagement atthe withers. Each of the leg straps 114 extend from belly end 102 andare disposed about a respective leg disposed proximate thereto. Thisplacement of yoke 110 upon the horse with the heretofore mentionedconnections disposes main body portion 118 in proximate and potentiallycontacting engagement with the chest of the horse. Each of the widthadjustment devices 112 can be collectively or individually adjusted inthe direction W in order to accommodate the chest width of the horse toprovide maximum shielding of the chest.

As shown in FIGS. 10-11, one of skill in the art will understand thatyoke 100 can be provided on a horse as shown. For example, yoke 100 canbe disposed about the neck of a horse as discussed supra. In short,elongate strips 106 are disposed about the neck of the horse andcooperatively engaged at the withers. Each of a pair of leg straps 114are disposed about a proximate leg in order to cooperatively place themain body portion 118 of the yoke 100 proximate to the chest. A horseblanket 150 extending from the withers to the dock of the horse can thenbe disposed about the barrel of the horse.

One of skill in the art will readily recognize that the yoke 100 canreadily provide a benefit of increased and better control of theadjustability relative to the fit of the horse blanket 150 and thehorse. In short, it is believed by providing interconnectability andincreased adjustability between yoke 100 and horse blanket 150 canreadily accommodate the need to consider the depth of the neck of thehorse, the width of the chest of the horse, and the angle of theshoulder of the horse. In other words, the above-mentionedconsiderations, when take into account in the current design candrastically reduce, and even eliminate, the number of friction pointsbetween the horse blanket 150 and the horse over previous designs.Further, current existing blankets provide too large and less adjustableneck opening. Stated simply, the current design and interactionspossible with the yoke 100 and horse blanket 150 readily allow for anindividualized customization for any particular breed or size of horseto allow for a better fit.

One of skill in the art will understand that the region proximate toboth the yoke 100 and horse blanket 150 can be provided with anattachment device that provides for the connective engagement of yoke100 with horse blanket 150. In this manner, a portion of horse blanket150 proximate to yoke 100 can be overlaid upon that portion of yoke 100proximate to horse blanket 150.

Alternatively, one of skill in the art will understand that the regionproximate to both the yoke 100 and horse blanket 150 can be providedwith an attachment device that provides for the connective engagement ofyoke 100 with horse blanket 150 so that a portion of yoke 100 proximateto horse blanket 150 can be overlaid upon that portion of horse blanket150 proximate to yoke 100.

The overlaying of a portion of yoke 100 with a portion of horse blanket150 can provide for the fixable attachment of that portion of yoke 100contacting horse blanket 150 with an attachment device disposed upon thedistal ends of elongate strips 106 and a cooperative attachment devicedisposed upon the portion of horse blanket 150 disposed proximate to orin contacting engagement with yoke 100. For example, the distal ends ofelongate strips 106 of yoke 100 can be provided with hooks and thatportion of horse blanket 150 disposed proximate to or in contactingengagement with yoke 100 can be provided with loops to form a hook andloop system. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, the distal ends ofelongate strips 106 of yoke 100 can be provided with buckles 160 andthat portion of horse blanket 150 disposed proximate to or in contactingengagement with yoke 100 can be provided with straps 170 to form abuckle system. Naturally, the proximate, contacting, and/or matingengagement of yoke 100 to horse blanket 150 will occur proximate to theneck of the horse and like disposed between the withers and shoulder.

It is believed that the yoke 100 can be provided as a retro-fit kit toextend the usefulness of existing horse blankets 150 already in use. Oneof skill in the art will readily recognize the cost effectiveness aswell as the additional benefits of incorporating yoke 100 into apre-existing horse blanket 150. For example, one benefit ofincorporating a yoke 100 into a pre-existing horse blanket 150 is theability to provide a more adjustable fit to the pre-existing horseblanket. In other words, the yoke device 100 can allow for a means ofadjusting blanket 150 by taking into account the width of the chest andthe depth of the neck thereby providing for a closer fit that reducesfriction points and wind egress.

Another benefit of incorporating a yoke 100 into a pre-existing horseblanket 150 is the overall reduction in the amount of wind that caningress between the neck and the neck opening of the horse blanket. Suchingressing wind can cool the horse unexpectedly and result inhealth-related issues. Thus, the benefit of coving the chest of thehorse with a yoke 100 and cooperatively attach the yoke 100 to thepre-existing horse blanket 150 can effectively reduce and potentiallyeliminate such debilitating health-related issues by reducing or eveneliminating the ability of wind to ingress underneath the horse blanket150 and provide additional heretofore unrecognized warming, cooling, orcleanliness of the horse.

Additionally, horse blanket 150 can be provided with a cinch 180. Cinch180 can effectively provide contacting engagement of the horse blanket150 about the barrel of the horse.

C. Adjustable Blanket System

The equine adjustable blanket system provides a horse blanket and a yokedevice. The horse blanket is disposable upon and in positionable incontacting engagement with the back of the horse and the yoke device isdisposable upon and positionable in contacting engagement with the chestof the horse. The yoke device and the horse blanket are mutually andmatingly couplable to each other to form the equine adjustable blanketsystem.

FIG. 12 provides for an exemplary equine adjustable blanket system 300.The blanket 325 can be provided for equine adjustable blanket system 300as described supra with reference to FIG. 5. Additionally, yoke 350 canbe provided for equine adjustable blanket system 300 as described suprawith reference to FIG. 8. One of skill in the art will recognize thatblanket 325 and yoke 350 are mutually and matingly couplable to eachother to form equine adjustable blanket system 300. In other words, thehorse blanket 325 is disposable upon and in contacting engagement withthe back of the horse and the yoke device 350 is disposable upon and incontacting engagement with the chest of the horse. The horse blanket 325and yoke device 350 are then interconnectable and preferably overlayableone over the other (e.g., a portion of horse blanket 325 overlays aportion of yoke device 350 or a portion of yoke device 350 overlays aportion of horse blanket 325) to form the equine adjustable blanketsystem 300.

The blanket 325 extends between the withers and the dock and generallyfollows the spine of the horse. The blanket 325 can be generally alignedwith the horse's mane when the blanket is placed upon a horse. When theblanket 325 is deployed upon a horse, the back portion extends along theback of the horse, while each of the side portions depend down along thesides of the horse about the barrel. The side portions of the blanket325 extend from the dock of the horse to the neck of the horse.

It may be preferred to provide the front portion 25 with front edges 27that are designed to overlap at least slightly. It may be preferable toprovide for the front portions 25 cover the chest area of the horsebelow the neck. A neck opening 31 can be formed in the blanket 10between the front portions 25 and the withers end 15 of the back portion13. The blanket 10 can be provided with a flap 33 disposed proximate tothe dock end 17. Webbing 51 can be disposed upon the blanket 10 toprovide a means of mediating the wear observed by the use of currentblankets about the withers. Webbing 51 disposed about either side of theneck can reduce the observed wear and/or rubbing on the withers as wellas stabilize the blanket 10 to retard movement of the blanket 10 whenthe horse is in motion.

Two opposed front portions of blanket 325 are capable of being coupledtogether using a strap and buckle or a plurality of hook and loopfasteners. When the opposed front portions are cooperatively overlapped,the respective front portions are retained in mating engagement.

The blanket 325 can also be fitted with at least two first gussets(selectable in design to have a gusset formed from a gathered material,a pleated material, combinations thereof, and the like to form blanket325 as shown in FIG. 13 or have a gusset formed from elasticizedmaterial to form blanket 325A as shown in FIG. 14) are disposed within afront portion of blanket 325. The first gussets each have a first enddisposed within the front portion of blanket 325 so that when theblanket 325 is properly positioned upon the horse in use, the first endof each gusset disposed within blanket 325 is positioned to be proximateto the top of the scapula.

Each of the first gussets essentially bifurcate the front portion ofblanket 325 into a neck portion and a scapula portion. The neck portioncan be formed within blanket 325 so that the material constituting theneck portion lay on the skin of the horse in the region disposed betweenthe neck and scapula. In other words, each first gusset provides blanket325 with a narrow strip of material that overlays the skin of the horsebetween the scapula and neck. Stated yet another way, each first gussetforms an articulable joint within front portion of blanket 325 betweenthe neck portion and scapula portion of blanket 325.

If desired, second gussets can be provided between the front portionsand barrel portions near the front legs of the horse. If desired, rearleg straps can be provided upon the blanket 325. The rear leg straps canbe elastic and adjustable in length and preferably extend around theinside of the rear legs of the horse. The ends of the rear leg strapscan be provided to clip on to rings or other attachment devices securedto the blanket by any necessary webbing and/or stitching.

Additionally, and if desired, at least one elastic belly band or bellystrap can be provided. If desired, two belly straps can be provided, onedisposed proximate to the front legs and the other disposed proximate tothe rear legs along the barrel of the horse. The belly straps can extendunderneath the belly of the horse. The length of each belly strap can beadjustable, and the ends can be clipped or hooked to rings or otherattachment devices disposed upon, or in connecting engagement with, theblanket.

A withers notch provided for blanket 325 can reduce the wear on ahorse's mane. A dock notch can reduce the wear on a horse's tail. Thewithers notch can be preferably disposed proximate to the mane, whilethe dock notch is at the tail. The width and length of the withers notchcan be sufficient so that the withers are uncovered by the blanket 325.The lower end of the mane can extend down to the withers. Thus, thewithers notch can leave the lower end of the mane exposed andconsequently not subject to wear.

The yoke device (or yoke) 350 can be provided as a singular piece oftextile material for adjustable attachment of blanket 325, warming,cooling, or otherwise keeping clean, the chest of a horse. The yoke 350can be provided with a general “Y” shape and have a belly end and awithers end. The withers end can be characterized by having a pair ofelongate strips that splay outwardly from a central point to form the“Y” shape.

As each of the elongate strips splay outwardly from the central point toform a neck opening therebetween. The neck of the horse can be disposedwithin neck opening and each of the elongate strips can be disposedabout the neck of the horse so that the elongate strips can effectivelycircumscribe the neck of the horse when the elongate strips are placedin either cooperative coincidental mating engagement or cooperativeoverlapping engagement.

The main body portion of yoke 350 can be intended to provide essentialcoverage of the chest of a horse. Width adjustment devices can beprovided along the length of main body portion of yoke 350. Widthadjustment devices can effectively adjust the width of the main bodyportion in order to accommodate a horse with a large or wide chest suchas a Belgian draft horse or a narrow chest such as a Saddlebred andArabian horses.

D. Connecting Device/Slidably Moveable Connector

The blanket 325 and yoke 350 can be connectively and matingly attachedby any devices understood by one of skill in the art for providingmutual mating and connective attachment of one device to another.

One non-limiting example of such mutual mating attachment is shown inFIGS. 15, 15A, and 15B. As shown in FIG. 15, a plurality ofcorresponding connecting devices 360 such as an exemplary butnon-limiting “D”-ring (shown in detail in FIG. 15A) can be fixablyattached to the outwardly facing surface of yoke 350. Likewise, and asis shown in FIG. 15B, an elongate member 375 such as an amount offlexible cord 365 (e.g., cording, chain, rope, parachute cord, string,cable, combinations thereof, and the like) forming a slidably movableconnector 380 can be fixably attached at first end 385 and second end390, first end 385 and second end 390 being disposed distal one from theother, to a surface 390 such as the outwardly facing surface of yoke 350or upon a side of blanket 325 facing the horse or upon an outwardlyfacing surface of blanket 325 disposed upon the horse. A plurality ofsnaps 370 having opposable connections can be connectively and slidablyattached to elongate member 375 such as flexible cord 365 to formslidably movable connector 380. Any particular snap 370 is preferablytranslatable (i.e., can move) in a direction, A, generally parallel tothe longitudinal axis 367 of elongate member 375 such as flexible cord365. If elongate member 375 is provided as a flexible cord 365 having ageneral longitudinal axis 367, the elongate member 375 can be deformablein a direction, B, away from the longitudinal axis 367. Therefore, anyparticular snap 370 is preferably translatable in a direction, B,generally following, or consistent with, the direction of flexure (ordeformation) of flexible cord 365 forming elongate member 375.

In one non-limiting use, one end of a snap 370 of slidably movableconnector 380 can be slidably attached to elongate member 375 and theother end of the snap distal thereto can be cooperatively andconnectively attached to a corresponding connective device 360 such asthe exemplary “D”-ring of FIG. 15A. As would be recognized by one ofskill in the art, in another non-limiting use, slidably movableconnector 380 can be fixably attached to any surface of yoke 350. Oneend of a snap 370 of slidably movable connector 380 can be slidablyattached to elongate member 375 and the other end of the snap distalthereto can be attached to the corresponding connective device 360 suchas “D”-ring (of FIG. 15A) disposed upon the outwardly facing surface ofblanket 325 through an aperture disposed within blanket 325.Alternatively, as would be recognized by one of skill in the art, inanother non-limiting use, slidably movable connector 380 can be fixablyattached to any surface of blanket 325. In any regard to the arrangementof the fixed disposition of slidably moveable connector 380 andcorresponding connective device 360 upon either surface of blanket 325and/or yoke 350, it is believed that due to the flexible nature ofslidably moveable connector 380, cooperative attachment of the snap 370and the corresponding connective device 360 can facilitate the yokedevice 100 (interchangeably called “yoke device 350”) and the horseblanket 150 (interchangeably called “blanket 325” or “horse blanket325”) to move freely relative to one another as the horse moves about asdiscussed infra. In short, slidably moveable connector 380 canfacilitate and enhance the overlapping connective engagement of the yokedevice 100 with a blanket 325 connectively engaged thereto.

Without desiring to be bound by theory, it is believed that having oneend of a snap 370 attached to flexible cord 365 disposed upon the insideof the blanket 325 can facilitate the main body of the blanket 325 toflex and move more freely over the shoulder and forearm of the horse yetstill provide secure attachment between the overlaid objects. Thisindependent movement can reduce the tension in the blanket that causesrubbing, the observed chafing, and potential resulting edema. It is alsobelieved, and would be readily recognized by one of skill in the art,that having one end of a snap 370 attached to the elongate member 375 ofslidably movable connector 380 that is fixably attached to yoke 350 andis attached to a corresponding connective device 360 such as “D”-ringfixably attached to the outwardly facing surface of blanket 325 throughan aperture positioned appropriately proximate thereto can facilitatethe ‘over-laying’ of devices disposed upon the horse by allowing theyoke 350 to matingly attach directly to the blanket 325 and facilitateportions of the main body of the blanket 325 to flex independently dueto the flexure of elongate member 375. Additionally, the variouscomponents overlaying the horse (e.g., the yoke 350 and blanket 325) areable to move freely relative to one another (i.e., flex independently)due to the flexure of elongate member 375 and thereby reduce anyrubbing, chafing, and potential edema. Furthermore, one of skill in theart will recognize all of the benefits presented by the slidablymoveable connector device 380 and understand the desirability ofincorporating the slidably moveable connector device 380 into and/oronto a pre-existing article or device. A leg strap or a pair of opposedleg straps 180 can be fixably attached to the belly end of the yoke 350.Each leg strap can circumscribe a singular front leg of a horse and befixably attached to yoke 350. This configuration can provide theadditional benefit by not only placing yoke 350 in fixed relation to thechest region of the horse dispose between both front legs but can alsoassist in maintaining the fixed relationship between the yoke 350 andthe chest region of the horse as the horse maneuvers about in any of thenatural gates (e.g., walk, trot, gallop, run).

The yoke 350 can be preferentially and cooperatively disposed upon theshoulders and chest of a horse. Each of the elongate straps extendingfrom the main body portion can be disposed about the neck of the horseand placed into cooperative and mating engagement at the withers. Eachof the leg straps extending from the belly end and are disposed about arespective leg disposed proximate thereto. This placement of yoke 350upon the horse with the heretofore mentioned connections, such asslidably movable connector 380, can dispose the main body portion inproximate and potentially contacting engagement with the chest of thehorse. Each of the width adjustment devices can be collectively orindividually adjusted in order to accommodate the chest width of thehorse to provide maximum shielding of the chest.

Any dimensions and/or values disclosed herein are not to be understoodas being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited.Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension and/or value isintended to mean both the recited dimension and/or value and afunctionally equivalent range surrounding that dimension and/or value.For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any patent application or patent to which thisapplication claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded orotherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission thatit is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimedherein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other referenceor references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in thisdocument conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in adocument incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assignedto that term in this document shall govern. While particular embodimentsof the present invention have been illustrated and described, it wouldbe obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes andmodifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claimsall such changes and modifications that are within the scope of thisinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A horse blanket 10 for a horse having a neck, aback, a barrel, a dock, a withers, a chest, a mane, at least oneshoulder, a point of said at least one shoulder, a forearm, and at leastone scapula, said horse blanket 10 comprising: a) a back portion 13extending between a withers end 15 and a dock end 17, said back portion13 having a longitudinal axis 11 forming an axis of symmetry within saidhorse blanket 10; b) a pair of opposed side portions 19 each extendingfrom said back portion 13 on opposed sides of said longitudinal axis 11,each of said side portions 19 comprising a front portion 25, each ofsaid front portions 25 overlaying a respective shoulder of said horsewhen said horse blanket 10 is disposed upon said horse; c) wherein eachof said front portions 25 further comprises a first gusset 35 disposedtherein, each of said first gussets 35 having a first end 39 disposedwithin said front portion 25 proximate to said longitudinal axis 11,said first end 39 being disposed proximate to a top of said at least onescapula when said horse blanket 10 is disposed upon said horse; d)wherein each of said first gussets 35 has a second end 41 disposeddistal from said first end 39, each of said first gussets 35 bifurcatingsaid respective front portion 25 into a neck portion 43 and a scapulaportion 45; and, e) wherein said neck portion 43 overlays said horsebetween said neck and said scapula when said horse blanket 10 isdisposed upon said horse.
 2. The horse blanket 10 of claim 1 whereinsaid front portions 25 each further comprise a front edge 27, each ofsaid front edges 27 being positionable into mutual connectiveengagement.
 3. The horse blanket 10 of claim 1 wherein said first gussetis an articulable joint disposed within said front portion
 25. 4. Thehorse blanket 10 of claim 1 further comprising a second gusset 37, saidsecond gusset 37 being disposed between said front portion 25 and saidbarrel portion
 21. 5. The horse blanket 10 of claim 1 wherein each ofsaid pair of opposed side portions 19 each further comprise a rear legstrap, each of said rear leg straps being extensible about acorresponding rear leg of said horse.
 6. The horse blanket 10 of claim 1further comprising a withers notch 47 disposed in said back portion 13proximate to said longitudinal axis 11 and between each of said frontportions 25, said withers notch 47 being disposed proximate to said manewhen said horse blanket 10 is disposed upon said horse.
 7. The horseblanket 10 of claim 6 wherein said withers notch does not cover saidwithers when said horse blanket 10 is disposed upon said horse.
 8. Thehorse blanket 10 of claim 1 wherein said neck portion 43 contacts saidhorse between said neck and said scapula when said horse blanket 10 isdisposed upon said horse.
 9. The horse blanket 10 of claim 1 whereinsaid first gusset 35 comprises a material selected from the groupconsisting of a gathered material, a pleated material, and combinationsthereof.
 10. The horse blanket 10 of claim 9 wherein said first gusset35 is elasticized.
 11. The horse blanket of claim 1 further comprisingan aperture 29 disposed in at least one of said pair of opposed sideportions 19, said aperture 29 providing communication between opposedsides of said horse blanket
 10. 12. The horse blanket of claim 1 whereinsaid first gusset 35 has a first portion 51 disposed within said frontportion 25, said first portion 51 extending from said first end 39 andterminating at a point distal from said first end 39 and proximate tosaid point of said shoulder.
 13. The horse blanket of claim 12 whereinsaid first gusset 35 has a second portion 53 disposed within said frontportion 25, said second portion 53 extending from said point distal fromsaid first end 39 and proximate to said point of said shoulder to saidsecond end 41, said second end 41 disposed within said edge 27 of saidfront portion
 25. 14. The horse blanket of claim 13 wherein said secondend 41 is disposed in front of said forearm.
 15. The horse blanket ofclaim 13 wherein said first portion 51 and said second portion 53 areformed from line segments.
 16. The horse blanket of claim 13 whereinsaid first portion 51 and said second portion 53 are formed fromcurvilinear segments.
 17. The horse blanket of claim 16 wherein saidfirst portion 51 runs essentially parallel to the scapula and overlaysthe skin of the horse disposed between said at least one scapula andsaid neck.
 18. The horse blanket of claim 1 wherein said second end 41of said first gusset 35 is elasticized, said elasticized second end 41allowing for expansion and contraction of said first gusset 35 as saidhorse moves about.
 19. An equine adjustable blanket system 300 for ahorse having a neck, a back, a barrel, a dock, a withers, a chest, amane, at least one shoulder, a point of said at least one shoulder, aforearm, and at least one scapula, said equine adjustable blanket system300 comprising: a) a horse blanket 325; and, b) a yoke device 350; and,c) wherein said horse blanket 325 is disposable upon and positionable incontacting engagement with said back of said horse and said yoke device350 is disposable upon and positionable in contacting engagement withsaid chest of said horse, said yoke device 350 and said horse blanket325 being mutually and matingly couplable to each other to form saidequine adjustable blanket system
 300. 20. In a horse blanket for a horsehaving a neck, a back, a barrel, a dock, a withers, a chest, a mane, atleast one shoulder, a point of said at least one shoulder, a forearm,and at least one scapula, having a back portion extending between awithers end and a dock end, said back portion having a longitudinal axisforming an axis of symmetry within said horse blanket and a pair ofopposed side portions each extending from said back portion on opposedsides of said longitudinal axis, each of said side portions comprising afront portion, each of said front portions overlaying a respectiveshoulder of said horse when said horse blanket is disposed upon saidhorse, and a vertically-oriented second gusset disposed between saidfront portion and said side portion, the improvement comprising: a firstgusset 35 disposed within each of said front portions 25, each of saidfirst gussets 35 having a first end 39 disposed within said frontportion 25 proximate to said longitudinal axis 11 and being disposedproximate to said withers when said horse blanket 10 is disposed uponsaid horse and a second end 41 disposed distal from said first end 39,wherein each of said first gussets 35 bifurcates said respective frontportion 25 into a neck portion 43 and a scapula portion 45, wherein saidneck portion 43 overlays said horse between said neck and said scapulawhen said horse blanket 10 is disposed upon said horse.